Jetstar To Open Routes Between Vietnam and Australia in May

Taking off in May 2017, Australian budget carrier Jetstar Airways will become the only low cost airline to fly direct to Vietnam largest metropolis, Ho Chi Minh City. The carrier will launch flights on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating four times weekly from Sydney and three times weekly from Melbourne. Special promotional fares were offered following the announcement in late January.

Jetstar Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said Vietnam is one of the fastest growing holiday destinations in South East Asia. “Vietnam has the potential to become as popular as Bali or Thailand for Australian travellers,” Ms Hrdlicka said; “Vietnam is well known for its rich culture, vibrant cities, beaches and cuisine, and travellers can take advantage of the wide range of experiences the region has to offer. We expect our low fares and direct flights will generate even more demand for holidays to Vietnam”.

The airline will also use Ho Chi Minh City as a major transfer point to other destinations. “From Ho Chi Minh City, travellers can fly to 15 other destinations within Vietnam on Jetstar Pacific, which offers the same low fares that Australians have come to expect from Jetstar”, added Ms. Hrdlicka.

The new route will also stimulate inbound tourism from Vietnamese travellers to Australia. “In the last 12 months, there has been a 21 per cent increase in visitors from Vietnam to Australia and we expect to see that grow with the introduction of our low fares on the route. The growing middle class in Vietnam has made it one of the fastest growing aviation markets in the world.”

Flights from Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City will commence on 10 May 2017, and flights from Sydney will commence on 11 May 2017, subject to government and regulatory approval. The only carrier flying between Australia and Vietnam is national carrier Vietnam Airlines while Qantas offered code share frequencies with Jetstar through Singapore.